Alcapulco, Mexico

This is our second Mexican port of call. Alcapulo is Mexico's largest resort area, reminiscent of Rio de Janiero and Hong Kong, with the similar extremes of wealth and poverty, and comparable sprawl. Our "daily program" sites Acapulco as "one of the five most beautiful harbors", but I don't see it. There certainly is a lot to do, just not a lot of stuff we would do. The "big tour" was to go watch these daredevil "cliff divers", boys with an obvious death wish who jump off 130' high cliffs into the water. Enjoy, boys.

We got to go on a rare tour together. We were on a 2-tank (so you dive, wait about an hour to get rid of some of your surplus nitrogen, then dive again) dive, with an outfit called Acapulco Divers.

The morning started inauspiciously; we were expecting (per directions and precedent) to find a guide with a "Port Compass" sign and our names. Nobody. Nadie. We later learned that if the dive shop hangs around the port with signs, the authorities will think that they're selling transportation (not just diving) -- which would require more, expensive permits. Adding to the confusion was the driver, Luis, who speaks little English, was instructed to pick up 5 snorkelers plus the two of us from the ship. Well, two more snorkelers decided to present themselves without any notice to the dive operation. Seven people? No problem. Except they weren't the right people.

They only figured out what had happened after they'd gotten everybody's names and realized there were "surplus" snorkelers. They send Luis back to fetch us; unfortunately we were expecting him in one place with a sign; he expected us in another without. Just before we were to give up, Kathy noticed a van matching their description, and went off to check it out. Lo and Behold.

The diving was pleasant but sooooo cold! The "regular" water temperature hovered in the low 70's, but "thermoclines" (patches of cold water) were probably closer to the 60s. This seems warm after a miserable winter, but underwater it feels like freezing. Visibility was less than stellar as well. But the surface temperature was wonderful, lunch tasty and it was nice for us to do a tour together.

I can't say Acapulco is on my "must return to" list. But it was pleasant enough for a day visit.

Selected photos (click on any image for full-sized version)

Your basic resort city, anywhere The "old fort". Gotta have one, right? View of part of the bay Prettier by night